Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Manage the safety of the operation 

1.1 Identify hazards  and risks  for the site and equipment use through a job safety analysis.

1.2 Apply the hierarchy of controls  to manage hazards and risks.

1.3 Select, use, maintain and store personal protective equipment  in accordance with both occupational health and safety and material safety data sheet requirements.

2. Communicate effectively with work team and incident management team 

2.1 Prepare site specific deployment plans based on the incident action plan (IAP).

2.2 Plan, prepare and present briefs and debriefs .

2.3 Maintain effective communication  channels with all stakeholders  involved in the deployment and recovery of oil spill response equipment .

2.4 Ensure response personnel are capable of deploying the equipment in a team environment.

3. Prepare equipment for use 

3.1 Identify required equipment using the IAP and/or site-specific deployment plan.

3.2 Conduct routine pre-operational checks  of equipment using manufacturer’s specifications and standard operating procedures .

3.3 Identify and segregate faulty equipment for repair or replacement.

3.4 Identify equipment requiring licensed operators.

4. Operate and/or deploy equipment 

4.1 Use equipment according to state/NT/Commonwealth licensing requirements .

4.2 Operate and monitor equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications, supervisor’s instructions and/or safe operating procedures (SOPs).

4.3 Carry out work in accordance with occupational health and safety requirements and the IAP.

4.4 Identify and record the use of consumables.

5. Monitor operations 

5.1 Monitor, assess and re-assess the effectiveness of equipment and/or the recovery operation.

5.2 Identify, action and monitor environmental implications  associated with the operation and maintenance of equipment.

5.3 Identify any changes to the response as a result of ongoing monitoring.

6. Check, clean and store equipment 

6.1 Maintain records of equipment use in accordance with IAP, SOPs and/or the incident management system.

6.2 Clean, secure and store equipment in accordance with manufacturers specifications, maintenance manual, supervisor’s instructions and/or SOPs.

6.3 Report and take action on equipment malfunction, fault, wear or damage.

6.4 Maintain and clean the workplace in line with occupational health and safety requirements and the demobilisation plan.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills 

• communicate effectively with others
• work effectively within a team environment
• work safely and collaboratively with others
• read and interpret material safety data sheets
• take appropriate initiative relating to the handling of equipment
• recognise and address problems when dismantling, inspecting and assembling equipment
• monitor equipment performance
• modify activities dependent on workplace situations including risk and environment
• complete maintenance records
• ability to identify hazards:

• environmental
• physical
• chemical

• safe handling and use of equipment

Required Knowledge 

• hazards:

• environmental
• physical
• chemical

• OHS responsibilities
• loading and unloading of materials
• operational characteristics of equipment
• operation of equipment in accordance with SOPs

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

• demonstrate the safe deployment and operation of equipment to contain, recover and store oil
• ensure safety and hazard control procedures are implemented
• identify hazardous situations that may arise and take appropriate action
• communicate effectively with others involved in the response
• monitor and reassess situations to ensure the best possible response according to environmental conditions

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency should be assessed in a simulated response environment or in an operational situation. It is suggested that Apply basic equipment operation be assessed either prior or with this unit.

Method of assessment 

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an approved simulated environment.

Forms of assessment may include:

• direct observation
• journals and workplace documentation
• third party reports from supervisors
• written or oral questions
• case studies

Guidance information for assessment  

Where possible assessment should be completed holistically and may be assessed with other relevant units of competence For example may be assessed with PUAOIL201 Use basic equipment operations for oil spill response.

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised  wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Hazards  may include:

• manual handling
• slips, trips and falls
• noise
• working around aircraft
• working around / on vessels
• chemical properties of oil:

• combustibility
• vapour

• environment:

• heat
• cold
• tides
• current
• isolation
• cliffs/heights
• heights
• rocks

• wildlife
• confined spaces
• vehicles

Risks  may include:

• fatigue
• hearing loss
• physical injury
• equipment damage
• poisoning
• burns
• respiratory problems
• injection - hydraulic and pneumatic
• chemical risks:

• inhalation
• ingestion
• absorption

Hierarchy of controls  may include:

• elimination
• substitution
• modification
• containment
• ventilation
• work practices
• personal protection

Personal protective equipment  as dictated by the material safety data sheets and the work environment may include:

• personal flotation device (PFD)
• hearing protection
• boots (appropriate to conditions)
• gloves (chemical and / or abrasive protection)
• eye protection
• respirators
• disposable overalls

Briefs and debriefs  may include:

• can use SMEACS or similar format
• SMEACS:

• Situation – what has happened.
• Mission – what you need to do about it.
• Execution – how you are going to do it.
• Administration & logistics – what you need to take action.
• Command and communication – who else needs to be involved, who needs to know about it etc
• Safety

Communication  may be by:

• briefings
• reports
• sitreps
• logs
• incident forms / records
• incident action plans
• site specific deployment plans
• discussion
• verbal directions
• hand signals
• information board
• using:

• landline phone
• mobile
• computer
• marine radio (VHF)
• uhf
• satellite phone
• pager
• facsimile

Stakeholders  may include:

• incident management team
• aircraft operators
• marine vessel operators and crew
• logistics officers
• media
• public
• traditional owners
• government
• businesses
• team members

Oil spill response equipment  may include:

• containment:

• boom inflatable – plus v sweep boom

• recovery:

• heavy oil transfer pump (and ancillary equipment)
• oil recovery vessels
• active skimmers
• disk / drum skimmers
• rope mops

• storage:

• towable storage bladder

• other:

• dispersant spray bucket and transfer pumps
• shoreline flushing pump
• marine radio (UHF, VHF)
• correct use of sorbents

Pre-operational checks  may include:

• equipment ‘in-test’ tagged and tested – electrical, slings, hoses
• maintenance checks
• pre-start and stop
• safety checklist
• fuels, fuel lines and oil
• battery electrolyte levels, wheels and tyre pressure
• air filters
• safety guards
• safety signs and barricades

Standard operational procedures 

• procedures identifying safe and effective work method statements

Licensing requirements  may include:

• state, territory and commonwealth legislation must be checked for high risk work and relevant licenses:

• dogging
• crane and hoist operation
• forklift
• confined spaces
• 27 mhz and vhf marine radio equipment

Environmental implications  may include:

• secondary contamination (decontamination station)
• waste (hot and cold zones)
• sensitive areas
• wildlife habitat
• flora